Carles Puyol believes Pep Guardiola's arrival at Manchester City will see standards improve across the Premier League.

It was announced in February that the 45-year-old would be taking the reins at the Etihad Stadium.

City have secured one of the world's best coaches and Guardiola boasts a medal-laden CV, having led Bayern Munich to a hat-trick of Bundesliga titles after winning three LaLiga crowns and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona.

Puyol was captain throughout his time at the Nou Camp and believes this next chapter will not only benefit City but everyone across English football.

"I think he is going to do a great job," the former defender told Press Association Sport.

"He has been a great coach for us. I appreciated working with him.

"I think he is going to be an asset for the Premier League, although I don't know the Premier League (as well).

"I think they play somewhat differently and therefore he might bring new techniques to them, which could be very beneficial for the Premier League."

Guardiola's arrival adds an extra ingredient to what promises to be a fascinating Premier League campaign as the big names look to make amends following a shock season.

Their struggles allowed Leicester to rock the footballing world and become champions - a remarkable achievement which seems even more unlikely in LaLiga due to Real Madrid and Barcelona's dominance.

Atletico Madrid have threatened that duopoly in recent years and Puyol has not ruled out a similar situation arising in Spanish football one day.

"Well, you never know," he said regarding a Spanish-style Leicester story, speaking at the Spanish Embassy in Paris.

"Nobody expected that to happen in the Premier League either but it just happened that the Premier League top clubs weren't doing so great.

"And all of a sudden this little one just sprang up, so you never know. It can happen anywhere, really.

"It depends on the context and you just have to wait and see, I guess."